To the Editor:

I just attended a Planning and Zoning meeting last night [July 19]. On the agenda was rezoning of five acres of residential property to commercial property in the Taunton region, changing part of Charlie Spiedel's beautiful property [7 Taunton Lane] so office building(s) could be put there.

Many residents from the area attended the meeting who opposed the idea. People voiced their concerns about the traffic which is already heavy, safety of children who will be commuting in and out of the newly built school on the base of Sawmill Road and Route 6, how many residential homes will now have a backyard view of an office building roof, etc.

People voiced their concerns that they recently bought in that area because it was zoned for residential and a wonderful place to raise their families, and are now questioning their decision. Of course we would all love to see our tax base increase, but if it's at the expense of converting residential property to commercial, I believe that is just wrong. Aren't there other areas already zoned in Newtown for businesses to build on? What will happen to the value of homes that currently have a wooded backyard that will have a view of an office or office roof? Will their appraised value go down, thus hurting the tax base of Newtown?

As I listened to all those citizens voice their opposition, I began to wonder what is the plan for the Taunton region off of exit 9? Many buildings have already been approved by Planning and Zoning, i.e. gas station, medical building, preschool, etc. Are we really now going to start to eat into the residential area of Taunton and convert it to commercial? Every time someone has difficulty selling their home, will they get approval from Planning and Zoning to turn their property to commercial? The word "plan" is in the commission's title. So what is the overall plan for the Taunton area? Seems like each project and proposal submitted stands by itself.

I was happy that the commission did not vote on rezoning residential to commercial last night and wanted to study and actually walk the property. I hope they don't just look at the feasibility of building an office building in what is now residential. My hope is that they seriously look at what this will do to the neighborhood of Taunton, which has been known for being quaint and as originally zoned... residential. Will this set a precedent where individuals who are having difficulty selling their homes can petition Planning and Zoning to convert their properties to commercial to just sell them, without consideration of their neighbors? What is the overall master plan for exit 9 by the Planning a Zoning Commission? Will exit 9 turn into exit 8?

There will be another public hearing on August 2, at 7:30 pm, in the town hall [Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street]. All are invited to hear what the commission has to say and voice their opinion.

Joseph Skrzypczak

3 Glenmor Drive, Newtown July 20, 2018